The Protocol may require schools to admit pupils above their Published Admission Number (PAN) and ahead of pupils on their waiting list or those awaiting an appeal. Section 2.15 of the School Admissions Code outlines that looked after children and previously looked after children, must take precedence over those on a waiting list. Admission authorities must admit children when asked to do so in accordance with the Fair Access Protocol, including where the school is operating a waiting list.
Where a child has applied for and been refused a place, the school's waiting list policy still applies, regardless of whether the child secures a place at another school through the Fair Access Protocol. Should a place become available, the application should be reassessed by the admission authority under the in-year process.